Average and politics are the key to success!!
Pros
Strong brand recognition with great products, services, and suppliers. With pricing realignment and a focus on selling value, makes selling the Grainger story easy. However, stay in the box!! They have built a nice box, and they don’t deviate from it easily, even for their largest customers. The people are top rate, and army’s of them...which leads for lots of personal growth and learning as well as advancement (at lower levels). Also one of the most diverse and inclusive companies I’ve worked for, EXCEPT for women in Senior Management.
Cons
Politics rule the roost. If you want to advance beyond lower management you MUST be connected and drink the Kool-Aid. They do not like outside opinion or challenging individuals. Few women in Mid and Senior Leader roles. The tend to reward the average and above average, more the plodder than the exceptional. Average tenure is 15-20 years which stifles aggressive/energy.